Washington State offensive line streak of no sacks spans three games

UPDATED: Sat., Sept. 8, 2018, 11:50 p.m.

Washington State Cougars quarterback Gardner Minshew (16) is mobbed by teammates after he ran the ball in for a touchdown against San Jose State during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)

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Gardner Minshew’s feet kept him out of several sacks in the first two games, but the WSU offensive line also deserves much of the credit for keeping the Cougars’ passing attack on its feet.

Dating back to the 42-14 loss to Michigan State in last year’s Holiday Bowl, the Cougars’ offensive line entered the fourth quarter Saturday with a streak of 11 straight quarters without giving up a quarterback sack.

The streak spans a new season, includes three new starters and a different offensive line coach.

Mason Miller took over this year for Clay McGuire, who left Pullman to coordinate the running attack at Texas Tech.

In the mostly three games, the Cougars’ offensive line helped the late Tyler Hilinski throw for 272 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Michigan State.

The 2018 offensive line helped Minshew throw for 319 yards and three touchdowns last week in the 41-19 romp over the Wyoming Cowboys.

The streak continued with the additions of three new starters, including 6-foot-5, 295-pound left guard Liam Ryan; 6-4, 300-pound right guard Josh Watson, both redshirt sophomores; and right tackle Abraham Lucas, a 6-7, 320-pound redshirt freshman.